Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

decoder selection

1308 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2010
  • 1 posts
decoder selection
Posted by Geb_CT on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 6:05 PM

? - new to dcc, if you have a locomotive make/model/manufacturer - how do you find the proper decoder say from a couple of decoder manufactures like tcs or digitrax, etc?  Is there some lookup site for this?

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, December 28, 2010 10:07 PM

 Have to look on each manufacturer's site, there's no global list for all of them.

               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 1:42 AM

Email Litchfield Station and ask. Mention non-sound or sound. Scale of loco and type of loco. They have helped me.

http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php

They carry different brands of decoders.

Check the SoundTraxx site, TCS site, Digitrax site. Some compnies call the non-sound decoders, mobile decoders.

Do some Google searches as you say you are new to DCC. There is a lot out there for DCC. Store the links you like in Favorites. You will need them.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 6:38 AM

Randy is correct.  There is no global list.

Best bet is to just identify the engine that you have, the scale, and the kind of DCC system that you will run it on and post on this forum.  You will get a lot of replies and then you can pick the correct, or best, decoders for your situation.

Let us know if a basic decoder will do or whether you want sound, a variety of light options, etc.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 12:23 PM

 Another note, I prefer to standardize one one brand of decoder if possible. That way any variances are in the locos themselves. My personal preference is for TCS, they have decoders to fit enarly anything - although usually I hardwire my decoders so I don;t have to deal with oddball circuit boards and the wired decoders always cost less than the special circuit board repalcements.

                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Thursday, December 30, 2010 2:02 PM

Most reputable manufacturers have a reference chart.

You should also note that if you are using sound there are only a couple that have good stuff.

The only decoders I'd suggest staying away from are bachmann and MRC.

Springfield PA

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!